Woolwich voters trimmed $71,506 from the town’s $2.83 million budget by choosing not to fund Patten Free Library.  Three votes were required to settle the matter Wednesday night, April 29, the yays to end funding narrowly outnumbering nays at the annual town meeting. The selectmen's budget passed was $45,782 less than one approved a year ago.

Patten Free Library in Bath had requested $80,108 from Woolwich to help with operational costs for the 2026-27 fiscal year – an $8,602 increase from last year’s donation. After 90 minutes of debate, residents decided against providing any funding and instead passed a motion to pay for library cards for residents who couldn’t afford one.

Moderator Mike Field called the meeting to order at 6:15. With little discussion, voters, about 200 in attendance, passed the first 18 warrant articles that included cost of living raises for town employees. The proceedings then stalled over library funding.  After Field read the article and asked for discussion Selectboard Chairman David King Sr. made the following motion:

“To reduce the dollar amount in this article from $80,108 to $8,500. The money to be set aside at the town office for the purpose of buying a library card for anyone that says it would be a burden to purchase their own card. We (the town office) would handle it the same way that we do the heat(ing) assistance program. The only people that would know that we bought your card would be the people that you tell. We would not tell anyone.” 

King said the town office could purchase up to 100 library cards with the money, which cost $85 each, adding, residents who didn’t qualify for a card could buy their own. Over the past year, about a third of the town had gotten a library card. “For me it’s a fairness issue,” he said. 

King’s motion drew both applause and boos from the audience. One of the many voters who waited in line to comment suggested the change would result in a death spiral for Patten Free Library.  A ballot vote on the motion eventually passed 112 in favor, 97 against.  Field then read the new article and opened the floor to debate. Voters were told if they agreed to the change it would go into effect July 1, the start of the town’s new fiscal year. 

Debate followed. Several people questioned the validity of King’s motion. And then, Selectman Allison Hepler motioned to return to the library’s original $80,108 funding request. Unsure whether Hepler’s motion was in order,  the moderator paused to refer to “Robert’s Rules” and eventually decided to allow debate on the motion to proceed. At one point, Hepler’s association with Patten Free Library was called into question. She and Selectman Tommy Davis are library board of trustees members. A ballot vote was taken on Hepler’s motion and, while the votes were being tallied, Field continued with other business, voters passing articles for the operation of the town office. He then returned to the library article announcing Hepler’s motion had failed, 93-117.

At this point, voters on both sides of the library debate expressed frustration and a shared desire to bring the matter to an end.  The discussion returned to King’s motion which was then passed by a show of hands 95 in favor, 73 against. The hand count became necessary after the moderator judged the voice vote was too close to call. Since there were no more paper ballots, he asked for a show of hands for the ballot clerks to count. 

There was also the prospect of what to do if people were unhappy with the decision on the library or confused about the proceedings as they were carried out, and how the issue might have been resolved in a more informative manner. Voters unhappy with the result have the option of petitioning for a special town meeting to reconsider Patten Free Library's  funding request. According to the town office, a petition would need 193 signatures of registered voters, 10% of the last gubernatorial election. Along with Bath, Arrowsic, Georgetown and West Bath are Patten Free contributors. Woolwich has been a financial supporter of the library since 1971.   

In other business, voters raised $1,099,617 for roads, bridges and winter road maintenance, and $391,244 for 24/7 ambulance service – the warrant noting the ambulance department has the potential to bring in $140,000 in revenues to offset its costs. Another $197,382 was raised for the fire department and $266,142 for curbside trash and recycling pick-up. Another $40,000 was appropriated for repair and maintenance of unpaved roads. 

Voters overmingly passed an article to create a Tax Club allowing property owners to pay their property taxes in monthly installments without interest rather than two yearly lump sums. Also passed, an article reducing the terms of the Nequasset Brook Fish Commissioners from five- to three-year terms, confirming Bruce R. McElman, William D. Potter, John D. Chapman, Robert E. Stevens and Patrice Hennin as fish commissioners.  

The meeting began with recognition of Mary King as this year’s recipient of the “Spirit of America” award. Mary King, wife of Robert King, has served as a ballot clerk for over 50 years. She is also a former treasurer for Woolwich Historical Society. 

The selectboard dedicated the 266th annual Town Report to Arthur Brawn, a longtime member of Woolwich Fire Department.  Brawn died May 17, 2025 at the age of 83. In addition to being a first responder, he served as town constable in the 1970s. He’s remembered, too, for decorating the graves of veterans with miniature American flags on Memorial Day. Brawn was a graduate of Morse High School in Bath and a longtime employee at Bath Iron Works where he was a pipefitter.